Polymer Engineering and Science, Vol.34, No.12, 1016-1024, 1994
The Production and Properties of Oriented Polypropylene Laminates
The mechanical properties of isotactic polypropylene can be enhanced in one direction by a combination of rolling and drawing in a rolling mill. The longitudinal strength and modulus of the oriented polypropylene (OPP) increases with an increase in draw ratio; however, the transverse properties remain relatively unchanged. In this study, multidirectional OPP laminates [with (0)2, (0/90)s and (0/ +/- 45)s lay-ups] were made to obtain sheet materials with improved properties in more than one direction in the plane. A hot-plate welding technique was used to produce these translucent and recyclable laminates. The in-plane properties of the laminates were successfully predicted with classical laminate theory (CLT). which is commonly used to predict the properties of fiber reinforced materials. These laminates can be quasi-isotropic and were found to have improved modulus [up to 6 GPa for (0/90)s laminates] and strength [up to 150 MPa for (0/90)s laminates] as well as exceptionally good impact toughness.